Retinoic acid delays transcription of human retinal pigment neuroepithelium marker genes in ARPE-19 cells

The effect of retinoic acid on the differentiation of a human retinal pigme nt epithelium-derived cell line ARPE-19 was studied. Differentiation of ARP E-19 cells is delayed by retinoic acid. The minimum all-trans-retinoic acid concentration needed for delay of ARPE-19 differentiation is 1 mu M. A del ay of differentiation was also observed using 1 mu M 9-cis or 13-cis-retino ic acid. Differentiation at the molecular level was studied by analyzing tr anscription of two RPE-marker genes, RPE65 and peropsin. In the presence of 1 mu M retinoic acid the onset of transcription of both genes was delayed by 2-3 weeks. We conclude that all-trans-, 9-cis-, and 13-cis-retinoic acid delay differentiation of ARPE-19 cells into cells that phenotypically rese mble cells from the human retinal pigment epithelium. NeuroReport 11:1571-1 579 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.